The NCAA Division I FCS Playoffs are getting smarter in 2025. Beginning this fall, Ivy League football teams are officially eligible for the NCAA Division I FCS Playoffs.

Before this change, the Ivy League had opted out of postseason play for over four decades, citing academic priorities and institutional philosophy. That long-standing policy has now shifted, opening the door for some of college football’s most tradition-rich programs to compete for a national championship.

These schools have produced Heisman winners, NFL legends, and countless academic All-Americans — but until now, never an FCS playoff participant.

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Why the Change?

The new playoff eligibility stems from a December 2024 decision by Ivy League presidents following a proposal from the Ivy League Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Student-athletes argued they deserved the opportunity to test themselves against the nation’s best — a stance that resonated with university leadership and ultimately led to the historic policy reversal.

Beginning this fall, the Ivy League champion will receive an automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs.

Other Ivy League programs will be eligible for at-large selections based on overall record, strength of schedule, and national ranking.

Which Teams Make Up the Ivy League in FCS Football?

The Ivy League is composed of eight private universities that have competed at the FCS level (formerly Division I-AA) since 1982:

• Brown University (Providence, RI)
• Columbia University (New York, NY)
• Cornell University (Ithaca, NY)
• Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH)
• Harvard University (Cambridge, MA)
• University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)
• Princeton University (Princeton, NJ)
• Yale University (New Haven, CT)

FloCollege's Ivy League FCS Playoff Prediction:

In “NCAA FCS Bracket Predictions: If the 2025 Playoffs Started This Week”, FloCollege highlights the Ivy League’s long-awaited debut in the national conversation:

Harvard appears as a projected automatic qualifier in early bracket predictions.

The analysis notes that Ivy teams now complicate the at-large race, adding more competition for mid-tier programs from the CAA, Big Sky, and Missouri Valley conferences.

The FCS Playoffs include 24 teams total — 11 automatic bids and 13 at-large — with the top eight seeds earning first-round byes.

FloCollege's projections underscore that the Ivy League’s participation could immediately impact the national playoff picture.

Ivy League Key Challenges & Implications In The FCS Playoffs

1. Strength of Schedule

Ivy League teams play only 10 regular-season games, compared to 11 or more for other FCS programs. That means every non-conference result will heavily influence playoff positioning.

2. Academic Calendar & Logistics

The postseason overlaps with final exams at many Ivy League schools, forcing teams to adapt to new travel and preparation demands.

3. Conference Tiebreakers

Because Ivy League titles are often shared, the league will now implement clear tiebreaking procedures to determine its automatic qualifier.

4. Leveling the Playing Field

The Ivy League’s entry could shift how the playoff committee views “strength of record,” particularly when comparing the Ivy’s elite academic institutions to football-centric power conferences.

Other FCS Conferences That Opt Out

Even with the Ivy League joining the postseason pool, two FCS leagues — the MEAC and SWAC — continue to send their champions to the Celebration Bowl instead of the playoffs. Their participation focuses on honoring HBCU traditions rather than the national championship structure.

Ivy League Football 2025 

Which Ivy League team makes the first-ever FCS playoff run?

Can an Ivy League squad earn a seeded position or an at-large bid beyond the champion?

How will the Ivy League’s academic rigor and shorter season affect postseason readiness?

Could the addition of these eight programs reshape the FCS playoff bubble in future seasons?

The Ivy League’s entry into the FCS Playoffs marks a new era — one that blends academic excellence with national athletic ambition. For the first time, schools like Harvard, Princeton, and Yale won’t just compete for the Ivy crown — they’ll chase an NCAA championship.

Follow FCS coverage, playoff projections, and live games all season long on FLoCollege.

About The 2025 NCAA Division I FCS Playoffs 

The 2025 FCS Playoffs will feature a 24-team bracket. The top 16 teams will be seeded, and the top eight seeds will receive first-round byes. 

The rest of the field (the remaining 16 teams) will play in the first round, with the No. 9 through No. 16 expected to host, if possible. Their opponents are selected by regional proximity, if possible, to ensure the shortest trip possible for the teams. 

However, the first round also will try to avoid any matchups featuring conference teams that have played each other.

Watch More FCS Football On FloCollege

Here’s the FCS broadcast schedule on FloCollege for the 2025 college football season. Subscribe to watch. 

Latest Division I FCS Rankings 

AFCA FCS Coaches Poll For Oct. 6, 2025

• 1. North Dakota St. (5-0) - Previous Rank: 1
• 2. South Dakota St. (5-0) - Previous Rank: 2
• 3. Tarleton St. (6-0) - Previous Rank: 3
• 4. Montana (5-0) - Previous Rank: 4
• 5. Montana St. (4-2) - Previous Rank: 5
• 6. UC Davis (4-1) - Previous Rank: 7
• 7. Tennessee Tech (5-0) - Previous Rank: 9
• 8. Lehigh (6-0) - Previous Rank: 8
• 9. Southern Illinois (4-1) - Previous Rank: 11
• 10. Illinois St. (3-2) - Previous Rank: 6
• 11. Monmouth (N.J.) (4-1) - Previous Rank: 12
• 12. North Dakota (3-2) - Previous Rank: 14
• 13. Idaho (2-3) - Previous Rank: 15
• 14. Jackson St. (4-1) - Previous Rank: 17
• 15. Austin Peay (4-2) - Previous Rank: 21
• 16. Northern Arizona (4-2) - Previous Rank: 13
• 17. Villanova (3-2) - Previous Rank: 19
• 18. Rhode Island (4-2) - Previous Rank: 10
• 19. Mercer (4-1) - Previous Rank: 22
• 20. Youngstown St. (3-2) - Previous Rank: 18
• 21t. ACU (3-3) - Previous Rank: 23
• 21t. West Georgia (5-1) - Previous Rank: 16
• 23. Presbyterian (5-0) - Previous Rank: 24
• 24. Lamar (4-1) - Previous Rank: 25
• 25. Harvard (3-0) - Previous Rank: NR

Dropped Out: UIW (20)

Others Receiving Votes: Southeastern Louisiana, 52; Furman, 38; Stephen F. Austin, 33; South Dakota, 21; UIW, 19; Gardner-Webb, 12; Alabama St., 9; Brown, 6; Elon, 6; North Carolina Central, 5; UT-Rio Grande Valley, 4; Lafayette, 3; Cal Poly, 2.

When Do The 2025 FCS College Football Playoffs Start?

The FCS Playoffs begin Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, featuring 24 teams. 

The 2025 Division I FCS College Football Championship game will be played on Jan. 5, 2026, at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.

William & Mary vs. No. 22 Villanova Football Highlights | 2025 CAA Football

Watch the highlights from the game between William & Mary and No. 22 Villanova on Sept. 27, 2025.

Archived Footage On FloCollege

Video footage from all games will be archived and stored in a video library for FloCollege subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.

Watch The 2025 College Football Season On FloCollege

FloCollege is the home of the best FCS, Division II and Division III football action all season long. 

Don't miss the latest college football action by bookmarking the FloCollege schedule page for the latest games. 

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